JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 79Power71
- 91Control94
- 88Spin84
- 90Forgiveness87
- 92Sweet spot88
- 86Stability89
- 78Maneuverability68
- 74Pop66
- 89Touch95
- 88Consistency90
- 68Swing weight78
- 82Twist weight88
- 50Launch angle48
- 78Plow through76
- 82Softness93
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 | Selkirk Luxx Control Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.1 — better | 85.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 20 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 119 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.6 |
| Shape | widebody | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Charged Surface Technology carbon | Florek carbon |
| Core material | Reactive Polymer Core | X5 polypropylene |
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest measured sweet spots in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
Selkirk Luxx Control Air verdict
The plushest paddle in the test. A 20 mm core swallows pace on resets, and the twist weight keeps the face square when the ball finds the edge.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk Luxx Control Air scores 93 against 82 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 11-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is $20 cheaper at $230.
Softness
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 11 points (93 vs 82).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Swing weight
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Power
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 8 points (79 vs 71).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.4 vs 88.7 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 and keep the $20.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 68, power 79 vs 71, spin 88 vs 84. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 79 vs 71, maneuverability 78 vs 68, spin 88 vs 84. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Selkirk Luxx Control Air is the clearer pick at this level — softness 93 vs 82, twist weight 88 vs 82. Its 20 mm X5 polypropylene core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want maneuverability (+10), power (+8), pop (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Take Selkirk Luxx Control Air if you want softness (+11), swing weight (+10), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 20 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Luxx Control Air review →JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 85.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 measures 79 on power against 71 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. That comes from a 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air at 94 versus 91. Its 20 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 84 for the Florek carbon face on Selkirk Luxx Control Air. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 costs $230, $20 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face. Selkirk Luxx Control Air: 20 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Florek carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Luxx Control Air to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads on softness by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $230 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Radius CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Radius CGS 16 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Luxx Control Air vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard Control Air Invikta
- Luxx Control Air vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Luxx Control Air vs Quartz Control
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 and Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.